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102 A POP-UP IN PARADISE Ala von Auersperg and Meg Braff discuss their exciting Naples project, set to debut in February. By Jayne Chase
104 FACES OF NAPLES Joan Fleischmann Tobin, whose family settled in Naples in 1946, now oversees Third Street South. She discusses the scene with her daughter Alexis, who is prepared to carry on the family legacy with her brother Ian. by Jayne Chase
110 INSPIRING THE HUMAN RACE TO SHARE THEIR SPACE The story of the Great Elephant Migration (GEM) and the Coexistence Collective, the talented artisans in India behind this traveling art installation, soon heading to Miami for Art Basel. by Chris Meigher
116 LOVE BRAND & CO. INSPIRED BY “GEM” Since its founding, this British luxury resort wear brand has supported the Elephant Family charity. Its long-standing commitment continues as the official retail partner of GEM. by Paul Rousseas
118 FLORIDA SHOPPING A guide to the best boutiques in Miami and Naples.
80
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IN A BOW to the principals of non-partisanship behavior and common decency, I’ll refrain from naming names or even candidates with barely a week to go before our elections. Were there a means to seamlessly assist in the change of linens at The White House, I’d be happy to help turn down the sheets. Dare I knelt to say a bedside prayer (verboten, I know), it would be in thanks for preserving America’s strengthened soul through a disparaging campaign that would have devastated lesser nations and city states. Our democracy stands tall - political polarization to the contrary. As we look ahead to a day of Thanksgiving, our most American of holidays (and everyone’s personal favorite) let us be grateful and proud of our continued prosperity, impregnable optimism and generational betterment. Amen!
In keeping with this invocation of universal gratitude, Quest’s November number celebrates a recent marvel of our extended humanity dubbed the Great Elephant Migration (GEM) - a clever and efficient engine of conservation that has grabbed the apolitical hearts and minds (and pocketbooks) of preservationists and naturalists in London, Newport and Manhattan, and is now beating a path to Miami’s famed Art Basel community. These lifelike Indian pachyderms are inspiring new definitions of wildlife coexistence - so viscerally compelling that this grizzled publisher grabbed his photo-supreme colleague of 50+ years, the renowned Sir Harry Benson, and traveled downtown to Manhattan’s meatpacking district to have a closer look. Our legendary lensman couldn’t resist snapping a few frames of the ever radiant Ruth Ganesh, co-founder of the Coexistence Collective in India’s Nilgiri’s Reserve, who reminded both of us that GEM is the “poster child for coexistence - inspiring the human race to share its footprint and space”. We believe!
Elsewhere in this penultimate November issue is a pictorial stroll through Naples, Florida’s Gulf Coast haven of “quiet wealth and tranquility,” and its continuously expanding Third Street South shopping district. Quest’s Design Editor, Jayne Chase, spent some
time with the resident and recognized style setter, Joan Fleischmann Tobin, whose watch words are “sophistication and ease” and whose father, the equally storied Junkie Fleischmann, arrived in Naples Harbor in 1946 (aboard his yacht Camargo) and soon became the magnate of this beloved beach community. And be certain not to miss in the pages ahead, Managing Editor Brooke Murray’s revealing interview with Cris and Kevin Condon - longtime and trusted czars of Palm Beach’s property markets, nor Jamie MacGuire’s nostalgic profile of the freshly revived Le Veau d’Or - the 87-year-old publishing and power bistro that’s reopened to raving reviews.
I’ll spare you, dear readers, any further benedictions. But as we peer into the post-election/holiday season, I’m weary from the grandstanding hubris of unqualified candidates, and wistful for a return of selfless public service and leaders who put reason ahead of feigned emotion. Am I a pollyanna to champion conciliation and courtesy, or as the underrated Warren Harding once campaigned on: “a return to normalcy”? Please share your thoughts, and may we each enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving with all Americans. ◆
Chris Meigher
ON THE COVER: Ruth Ganesh, co-founder of The Coexistence Collective, at the Great Elephant Migration exhibition in New York’s Meatpacking District. Photographed by Harry Benson.
A LOOK AT the better side. My friend Patsy Tarr wrote a book about her husband Jeff Tarr. I’ve known Patsy since I started this Diary about three decades ago. Her support of the arts – which includes a wide variety – is that of one who is an artist herself. Her technique is to celebrate the best of it including the newer members’ work. Her latest
work (of what I know) is the book about Jeff.
However it’s not about Jeff Tarr’s life now or recently, or even career-wise. It’s about when he was a Junior at Harvard. He’d grown up in Auburn, Maine, where he was an exceptional student. This was during the mid-1960s. When it came time for college, he applied to three: Harvard, Yale,
Columbia; and was accepted by all three. He was a top student, unsurprisingly when you consider all three of those colleges opened the door for him. He chose Harvard because he too was a JFK admirer and his feeling was, if it was good enough for JFK. I held the similar sentiments and thoughts about JFK. They were noble as such thoughts rarely are.
The hopes were high for his Presidency, tho dashed in an instant, as it turned out.
It was the beginning of the tech evolution and IBM and the Computer. I knew there were other computers but I, like Jeff Tarr, was presented with IBM’s work, and remained in awe. As were millions of us.
However, the Story. Jeff Tarr
was one of those serious students who had a natural interest in his studies. We forget that when the computer came into our lives in the early 1960s it was a huge machine which took up all the space in an enormous room. Its “size” impressed all of us with its “abilities.” Although, by the time Jeff Tarr was a junior at Harvard, the personal computer had made its debut and was about to become commonplace in all our lives.
Another aspect of the university of life, rarely talked about in terms of memory or even everyday conversation was/is of course: the socialthe dates, the possibilities of the innocent romance. One of the challenges to the Harvard man was getting out to meet
and make the dates. This was basically typical in colleges of both men and women and even co-ed.
One Saturday night when he was a junior and sitting around with his classmate Vaughan Morrill, he explained “no one would have us but each other, and we were drinking. So we got the idea jointly that we’ll start a computer dating service to find dates.”
colleges was supervised at “sanctioned mixers or on random blind dates.”
So guess what? They did!! And it changed the world. Seriously.
In those days, schools in the Ivy League were men only. Meeting women in women’s
Jeff Tarr also happened to have a mind good in math and statistics – which had brought him summer jobs that added to his knowledge about computers. After his Freshman year he’d got a summer job with the National Bureau of Casualty Underwriters here in Manhattan-where he learned something about computers, namely: If insurance companies could crunch millions of data points to predict the cost of fires, injuries and the car crashes, he fig-
ured why not predict the electro-chemical bond between two college kids.”
“You could buy the Computer services from IBM, so all you needed was a way to collect data and enter it onto punch cards.”
Then he and Morrill with the $450 that he’d won on the game show Password launched his idea. They developed a questionnaire, ran it through a computer producing a list of “ideal” matches for each correspondent to the site.
Applicants answered 75 questions covering a range of topics designed to give the reader a sense of what the person was like. The person would then send in the filled-in questionaires and $3 in cash. And Operation Match, as they ini-
tially called it, had begun. What happened is the rest of the story but you have to buy the book to find out. It is fascinating on several levels because that college junior looking for a date for a Saturday night date actually had the brains to envision “an ideal market for his product.” And it was coming into “the market” at the perfect timing of the IBM computers and all computers afterwards, as well as its enormous change and effect of social behavior even 60 years later.
Although I’ve known Patsy Tarr for years, I only recently met Jeff Tarr a couple of months ago. He’s a very pleasant sort of fellow, neither shy nor informative by nature, but he’s easy to open conversation.
He’s been in the financial business all his life and unsurprisingly very successful. He and his classmate Morrill sold their business long ago but not until after it created a still growing industry of finding personal relationships in these late modern times.
Tarr And the Invention of Computer Dating.
It’s the mind of the sensible and practical, but also the imaginative, and unimpeded by stark ambition toward life.
The book is called Operation Match: Jeff
Jeff Tarr’s story is classically American and reminds me of Henry Ford. Back in the 19th century America, a farmer’s son from a little town outside Detroit, Ford was born on July 30, 1863.
Growing up, Henry’s father considered him to be lazy. Although uninterested in farming, he was naturally curious about the world at the first time in the history of the human race when elec-
tricity was discovered along with the telephone, and the gasoline engine. These inventions were astounding at the time, and astoundingly successful-changing the world dramatically and forever. It occurred to him that it was going to replace the “horse and buggy” someday soon.
In earlier times, before the invention and development of the engine, a farmer selling/ trading his crops took two days by horse and wagon for the trip back and forth to town. Henry was given that responsibility by the time he was in his teens.
Bored by it, but fascinated by recent developments in the world back then, he realized that if his father had an engine on his wagon, they
could deliver their goods to town in an hour or two. And then return back to the farm in a matter of two or three hours with no effort.
When Henry grew up, he left the farm and moved with his new wife, Ida, to Detroit where he worked as an electrician. He was 30 years old. The automobile had been developed by this time. They were expensive machines - as they were called for years before “automobile” or “car” became a common part of the language - only for the rich and wellfixed. Those first cars were very expensive and “luxurious.”
At the time, it was briefly believed that they would always be luxuries for those with the means to acquire them.
But for Henry Ford, ma-
chines were practical and useful, and therefore built for working people (such as farmers). In the hours outside of his job, he engaged in making one sample of his “machine” with the engine, and persuaded some local (wealthy) businessmen to fund the manufacture of a “machine.”
It was “speed” in the late 19th century – as civilization was approaching the modern age – that captured the interest of the ordinary working man, although he could never afford the large and expensive “machines.” To impress his investors of his
idea, Ford built two very basic machine models – each with four wheels, a seat, a steering wheel, a brake basic without the top, or sides and doors; just the bare engine. You had to crank it up to get the motor running. Henry entered his “machine” into a race in a little town in nearby Ohio where they held bicycle races. And it beat all the others. However, his investors were not impressed by how he spent their investment, and soon he was back out on his own. They went off and started a business themselves. It was called Cadillac Motors.
Henry rented a little house with an extra barn-like structure next to it in which he could build another car. He believed that “speed”-a new concept in the late 19th century”-would attract the ordinary working man in business. Ten or 15 miles an hour was far, far faster then horse and wagon.
By then he had started his family with son (and only child) Edsel, the child who in the end would leave a dynasty. Working at his day job, by night Henry spent his free hours in the little “barn” building a model for his first car. When his “machine” was finished and ready to be tested, he realized that he had forgotten one thing: the “barn” had a regular doorway far too nar-
row for a car to exit. Impatient and no doubt furious about his error, his only solution was to knock down the front side of the building to make room for “machine’s” exit to the real world.
It so happened that shortly thereafter, his landlord heard about his invention as well as the wall of the “barn” that Henry had knocked down, and he was furious. He demanded that his tenant restore the “barn” – but then when he saw Henry’s four-wheeled machine and what it could do (quickly) he changed his tune.
And it so began. Ford Model T was so reasonably priced that Americans in the new century began the enormous
change of lifestyle that all humans would soon take for granted. And once in production he improved his model every year as well as lowering the price, and for the first quarter of the new century his car outsold all other cars in the market.
A hundred years after the birth of Edsel Ford and the creation of the Ford car, with thousands of extraordinary inventions later, including the computer on which that third year Harvard student and partner created the
modern datebook all for three bucks, in the great American Way of invention and creation.
The old, the new, and the old. Meanwhile back in town in the 21st century I had lunch with a friend at Via Quadranno on East 73rd Street, on the first block in from Fifth Avenue. At the beginning of the 20th century, this area was just developing from wild, mainly unoccupied land. Central Park was just becoming the public park of 843 acres in the center of the island of Manhattan.
My friend and I were talking about the changes in the area, and how much of the area a century later remains basically the same neighborhood that was intended. In its initial development it was meant to be a high-end residential district, and all private except for the hotels and private clubs that were built back at the beginning of the 20th century. A century later, many of those buildings/townhouses on the side streets off the newly developing Fifth Avenue remain well occupied and top private real estate.
Just down the same block, on the same side of the street, just a few steps from Fifth Avenue, still stands the
Joseph Pulitzer mansion, one of the great architectural monuments of that period in New York’s history. It looks like a small palace when you walk by. It was designed by historically famous Stanford White who modeled it on two of Venice’s most sumptuous 17th century villas.
The son of Magyar-Jewis religious parents Joseph Pulitzer was born in Hungary in 1847. He emigrated to the new America in 1865 when he was 18. By the time he was 40, he had started two American newspapers which made him a tycoon and a competitor with William Randolph Hearst
In his early and great success he had previously lived in another mansion farther down
the avenue on 38th Street. It was massive, and one late night in he 1890s, there was a terrible fire that totally destroyed the mansion including all of a great art collection as well as antiques; and actually killed several people including one of the Pulitzer children and a governess.
A few years later, Mr. Pulitzer bought that double lot on 73rd Street, and hired Stanford White to design a house for him. The interiors reflected its size. The ceilings were 15’. The rooms were grand. Although Mr. Pulitzer specifically did
not want a fancy interior like the one of his previous mansion that burned to the ground.
I first noticed this solidly impressive mansion that spoke “Power” as well as “Beauty” when I first moved to New York out of college. It had a presence that carried a different sense amidst the rest of the block’s residential buildings.
I learned about its history in those first days living here, when I knew a girl here whose grandmother was Margaret Thompson Biddle, the only child (and heiress) of William Boyce Thompson,
who founded Newmont Mining in 1921.
Mrs. Biddle kept an apartment occupying the entire top floor of the house. She lived there part of the year and in her own palatial mansion in Paris in the winters and springs until her death in the late 1950s.
Back in the 1980s, I was hired by a publisher to write a book about a socially prominent and wealthy East Coast family here in New York. I was then living in Los Angeles, and at the time of the signing, I’d met a New York couple visiting a friend of mine in L.A. When I told them about my project, the first thing they asked was “where” I was going to stay in New York.
I had no idea except possibly
an old friend who’d put me up when it was needed. This couple from New York on hearing that told me they had an extra apartment in their apartment and if I’d like I was welcome to use it.
Described as a one bedroom apartment, it was separate but within their “floor,” with a full kitchen and bath, and a small terrace that overlooked what was then a garden of trees and flowers, separating the mansion from the building next door with a small garden park.
I was amazed. My hosts lived very comfortably (she was her own decorator) and grandly-it was a mansion elegant and comforting and welcoming. My apartment re-
ceived fresh flowers from their gardens every week.
The “apartment,” which was accessible but separate from my hosts’ residence, had a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. The rooms were smaller yet very adequate spacewise, and there were lots of windows that looked out on the garden two almost three stories below.
I accepted their generous offer. Although while staying there, in my private project I was having very little luck getting people to talk to me about
the characters in the family I had been hired to write a book about. After about six weeks of making very few contacts, I returned to Los Angeles and eventually the project was canceled.
One day when I was back in Los Angeles, a friend of mine, Jean Howard, one of the great hostesses in Beverly Hills, invited me over to her house on Coldwater. Jean, who was a naturally beautiful blonde with a natural charm, knew about my book and was a famous friend of many famous and
social people out there and in New York.
She of course was curious to know what I had learned about my subject whom she knew-although not well. When I told her that no one would speak to me about the family, particularly one of the wives, who had made a point of telling everyone she knew NOT to talk to me.
When I told Jean about the project, Jean quietly but seriously said: “There’s a woman in New York, what they call a ‘lady of the night,’ – she’s in the phone book – and this particular ‘wife’s’ husband used to keep her on retainer. And sometimes she’d go up to their estate in Connecticut, in one
PAOLO MARTORANO BESPOKE’S EVENING WITH GEORGE HAMILTON IN NEW YORK
of their limousines... all very proper, and perform with The Wife for her Husband’s private pleasure!
I was sort of surprised by the irony-because of their publicly wellknown, very sterling, proper behavior and reputation-of both the wife and the husband if only because their roles out there in the world.
After Jean’s casual revelation, I completely understood why the wife had been so active in making sure nobody would talk to me. Actually it was fascinating piece of information, although a matter that I would not have written about in a personal history. But I do think it’s funny and it can still make me laugh. She did the right thing for her husband, and it turned out she did the right thing for me.
On a beautiful late summer day in New York with lots of Sun, beautiful skies, a
perfect temperature and heavy traffic all over the city was the annual luncheon of the Couture Council of the Museum at the Fashion FIT (MFIT), held in the vast reception lobby of the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, and attended by several hundred of the social forces and talents to open the 2024 Autumn season.
The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT (MFIT) honored Simon Porte Jacquemus, founder and designer at the fashion house JACQUEMUS, with its annual Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. This event is annual and marks its place on the social calendar as The First event of the Autumn Social Season. It’s a fundraiser of course but “heralds the arrival” of New York Fashion Week. Proceeds benefit The Museum at FIT, which is the only museum in New York dedicated exclusively to the art of fashion.
The Fashion business is based on change. Personally I was curious to see indications of “change”which you can already see on the street-in the fashion world and the way people in general dress. Down. Or way up. It’s fluctuating if you take in the overall “costume” of the room. The women who stood out as the “fashionable” crowd are now older and often almost lost in the crowd of varieties of individual taste.
Although many of the men were dressed more casually. The executive head of Nordstrom the distinguished company that supports the expense of the luncheon, and who opens the speeches, for
example, was in jacket but no tie, and open shirted. There’s nothing unusual about that except, standing at the head of of the room, he looked out of place.
So too were the men dressed so casually in Bermuda shorts looking like they’d just come in from the beach. There’s nothing wrong with any of these “differences” or “changes” but they reflect greater changes going on with us. In fact there was one woman dressed in a pants costume
and hat, who it turned out was a man I, and very many others in the room, know.
And he started out in 2009 with no formal training. He dedicated his brand in memory of his late mother. He has a passion for art and the decorative arts which inspire him.
And this is New York and he’s touching down with his version of fashion. For all.
More fashion history and its makers. Throughout the mid-century last, Kenneth J. Lane was the
artificial jeweler supreme in New York. A boy from Detroit, son of a man who was in the auto parts supply business, he’d attended the University of Michigan and then the Rhode Island School of Design. Somewhere in those early years he came to New York and fell in love with it.
Finished with his schooling, he came to New York to seek his dreams. Fascinated by the Society that was very much sought after and in-fashion full time. He first worked briefly for Vogue and then went into designing footwear for Delman Shoes, and then on to Christian Dior where he trained to be a designer under Roger Vivier
In 1963 at age 30 when he was designing bejeweled footwear for Arnold Scaasi and Dior, he was inspired to design and make costume jewelry.
Kenny, as he was known to his many friends, was naturally very social. He built a cosmopolitan personality that on meeting was far, far from the Midwest boy, and actually more Euro, or even British. Definitely international American. He had an eye for all of it, an imagination to adopt it, and a naturally friendly charm that was still the boy from Detroit.
His interests, his physical image and his person -
ality brought him into the New York world of fashion and ultimately Society. His personality was outgoing but with the ambience of sort of Briddish.
His first big break came when a woman very prominent in the fashion business named Jo Hughes , who worked for Bergdorf’s, showed some of his pieces to the Duchess of Windsor. The duchess bought and shared her find with her friends. It was upwards all the way after that.
All of these women had major Jewelry collections but Kenny could copy them all perfectly (which thrilled the owners who
bought them), and they were also charmed by his versions of jewels to be worn, totally fake, and at bargain prices. And they all look like the real thing.
Kenny became a Social Lion but modern, socializing with one and all, traveling the world and living in a magnificent apartment on Park Avenue South, which was an old mansion also designed by Stanford White , converted into an apartment house.
His jewelry business made him rich. When he departed, he left it to the man who managed and ran it for him, and it con -
tinues today, prospering because Kenny’s sense of style (when it came to jewels, especially) had a natural visual appeal. Impressive but charmed by it.
Election year. I read to learn. That sounds simple enough. It’s not simple for me because it requires being truthful with myself with what I’m “learning.” I read about our leaders and their partners, and their lives. I know some socially-well enough to say simply: “hello” and keep moving. That is the nature of high level social life. We’re all ambassadors, whether we like it or not. ◆
CELEBRATING HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION'S JUNIOR COMMITTEE AT DOUBLES IN NEW YORK
1. Emilia Fanjul and Chris Meigher 2. Ros L’Esperance, Mark Gilbertson and Jill Roosevelt
3.
4. Kim Hicks, Shelly Tretter Lynch and Julie Skarratt 5. Anna Rothschild, Alex Hamer and Candace Bushnell 6. Tatiana and Thorne Perkin with Lara Meiland-Shaw 7. Wendy Carduner
8. Sylvester and Gillian Miniter 9. Helena and Roman Martinez 10. Tony and Claire Florence 11. Rich Thomas 12. Cece Black and Margo Langenberg 13. Th é r è se Kahn, Micaela English and Amanda Kahn
MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK’S DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE BENEFIT
METROPOLITAN OPERA’S OPENING NIGHT IN NEW YORK
CELEBRATING DANIEL J.D. BAYARD’S TRIUMPH TO TRAGEDY: BOOK FOUR AT DOUBLES IN NEW YORK
The 6 4 th International Red Cross Ball, one of Palm Beach’s most prestigious events, will take place on January 10, 2025, at The Breakers Palm Beach. Hosted by Charles and Amanda Schumacher for the third consecutive year, next year’s Ball will hold special significance as it honors Bonnie McElveen Hunter, whose extraordinary leadership and contributions as the first woman since Clara Barton to receive a Presidential appointment to become Chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross over the past twenty years, have made a profound impact on the organization and the countless lives it touches.
Bonnie’s contributions for the last two decades as the premier volunteer of the beloved humanitarian organization are beyond compare. She is a servantleader who truly exemplifies the Red Cross mission to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. Bonnie’s contributions at the local, national, and international levels will impact the Red Cross for generations to come.
A visionary leader, Bonnie co-founded the Tiffany Circle, an esteemed group dedicated to honoring, empowering and embracing women across the nation and the world. Today, the Tiffany Circle continues to thrive and truly embodies the fundamental principles upon which the Red Cross was founded.
“It is an absolute privilege to celebrate Bonnie McElveen Hunter, a remarkable leader whose tireless work has strengthened the American Red Cross and improved the lives of so many,” said Amanda
Schumacher, International Red Cross Ball Chairman. “As a Palm Beach resident and long-time supporter of the Red Cross, Bonnie’s impact is felt deeply within our community, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to honor her legacy.”
Considered to be a highlight of the social season, the International Red Cross Ball brings together ambassadors, dignitaries and philanthropic leaders from around the world in support of the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. This signature event also features a poignant salute to the military. Funds raised during the event will directly support Red Cross disaster relief efforts, ensuring that the organization can continue to respond swiftly and effectively to disasters happening more frequently and with greater intensity.
As the Red Cross bids farewell to Bonnie McElveen Hunter in her role as Chairman, the 6 4 th International Red Cross Ball will stand as a testament to her legacy — a legacy defined by transformational leadership, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the critical and noble mission of the Red Cross.
For information about sponsorships or tickets for the 6 4 th International Red Cross Ball, contact Meredith da Silva at (954) 649-0655 or email SouthFloridaRSVP@redcross.org.
TRUMAN CAPOTE’S Black and White Ball at New York’s Plaza Hotel Ballroom has become a legend. At the time, everyone who was in the New York social whirl wanted to be invited. Some actually pretended to be out of town if they had not made the guest list of 500.
Truman suggested privately that the party was to celebrate detective Alvin Dewey who broke the case of the horrific murder of the entire Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas. The senseless crime which occurred on November 15, 1959, shocked the town and then the entire country when it was documented by Capote in his groundbreaking nonfiction novel In Cold Blood
Ostensibly, Capote chose Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham as the official honoree of the ball. It is said she was chosen to avoid inciting what is amusingly known as a cat fight among his glittering swans: Babe Paley, C.Z. Guest, Slim Keith, Lee Radziwill, Marella Agnelli, Pamela Harriman, Ann Woodward, and Gloria Guinness.
The charismatic and talented Peter Duchin and his orchestra played that memorable evening. In the photo here, Peter leans over to speak to someone as Christina and Henry Ford dance by. How many remember seeing the wonderful yet heartbreaking film The Eddy Duchin Story starring Tyrone Power and Kim Novak as Peter’s parents, Eddy and Marjorie Duchin. It was a great old-fashioned film. Wish there were more films like that today.
The Black and White Ball remains a dazzling symbol of the glamour of an era gone by… And brings a smile to my face when I remember my friend, the tiny terror, Truman Capote. u
LET’S NOT MINCE words or use hyperbole. I’ve just attended the best, most glamorous ball since the ’50s, and two weeks later the best party ever, and this from a man who has been partying for more than 60 years. I will not go into details because
my hosts in the English countryside and their beautiful property Daylesford, Lord and Lady Bamford, are different from the publicity-seeking Hiltons, Kardashians, and their ilk. They’ve asked for radio
silence. I will only go as far as to say that the last time someone even approached the glamour and magnificence of their ball was at Guy de Rothschild’s dance, and whose château outside Paris, Ferriere, was the
venue. I was in my 20s.
Two weeks later, in Paris, Arki Busson, whose parents are no longer with us but were very close lifelong friends of mine, took over Maxim’s, the most fabled Parisian restaurant of all time, and outdid even Franz Lehar’s fabled Merry Widow operetta that takes place in the restaurant on rue Royale. Never have I heard better music or seen more charming cancan dancers kicking up a storm while we drank champagne nonstop. Never have I seen Maxim’s come more alive, and it was all due to Arki. His children were present, two wonderful boys whose mother is Elle Macpherson, and his daughter with Uma Thurman. Arki’s now with a beautiful lady
in the airports. Not a single one. Take my word for it. Instead, well, you know the rest. Everyone glued to those devices like slaves used to be glued to their oars, the only sound missing being the big bully banging on a slab giving the beat to those in chains.
What I don’t understand is that in America, where I now find myself, everything is disposable, so why don’t concerned parents get rid of these devices and leave their children on their own? The little monsters are bound to open a book, or are they? Perhaps I’m judging from my generation’s outlook. What I fear is that separating a young person from their smartphone will one day be considered a capital offense.
noticed that the word “unhappy” is now favored over the word “worried”? And everyone who is anyone is permanently offended? The saying “It fell on deaf ears” is now verboten amid fears it might offend those who are hard of hearing, like Ludwig van Beethoven.
Woke jerks warn us not to use noninclusive language such as policeman, manpower, housewife, hysterical; instead we’re warned to use inclusive terms. We also have to be careful about age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status. Woke has now reached the point of such
who’d rather be Madame Busson than the Duchess of Wellington, something that finds me in total agreement. Life can be beautiful when one has friends like Arki, Anthony, and Carole, and now that I’ve spilled the beans, here’s my incredible discovery at both parties: I didn’t see a single person talking on a mobile, proof that the two parties were unique and no one outsourced their humanity to their devices.
And speaking of these horrors, it is now accepted in the West that viewing is superior to reading. I believe that risk-averse parents are to blame. Prying smartphones out of the small hands of children is the first step. Following the parties I flew to the Bagel and made certain to look for any signs of books or newspapers on board or
Drinking champagne nonstop gives one a terrible hangover the next day but illu minates the conversation the night before. I had some good ones: Western affluence and luxury abundance have led to exaggerated, nonexistent health problems; at least that’s what my beautiful and young dinner neighbor insisted. I wholeheartedly agreed. PTSD is now claimed nonstop by anyone disappointed over any result: an election, a football match, even a traffic ticket. An epidemic of mental illness seems to be everywhere in the West, and terms such as “bipolar” are bandied about by shyster lawyers, whereas once upon a time “shellshocked” was used sparingly about victims of gunshot wounds or natural disasters.
tokenistic absurdity that people are nervous about even using the words “father” and “mother.”
These Word Police should have been to the parties I was at. I asked a friend who is a homo whether he was going to get lucky, while another buddy screamed that I was too old to be dancing (as I’m already half-blind): “You’re dancing with a drag queen, you fool.” In Hollywood we’d all be behind bars. ◆
Oh yes, and another thing: Have you
For more Taki, visit takimag.com.
AS EXCITEMENT BUILDS for the transformation of West Palm Beach’s landscape, Forté on Flagler, a pinnacle of luxury living, will welcome its first residents in early 2025. Forté is set to be a defining feature of the city’s evolving skyline, offering waterfront views, spacious floor plans, and thoughtfully designed living spaces. As construction progresses, only a limited number of units remain available, illustrating the appeal of both the project and the region among those seeking exclusivity.
Prime Location, Unmatched Views
Located along the scenic Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, Forté offers unparalleled views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Palm Beach Island, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Residents will enjoy easy access to rich cultural offerings, restaurants, and entertainment while feeling a world away at home at Forté.
Developed by Two Roads Development, the sleek, 24-story tower was designed by architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica. With only two units on each residential floor, the building stands out for its clean, contemporary lines and soaring windows, allowing ample natural light. The thoughtful design emphasizes spaciousness, with open interiors and large terraces inviting residents outdoors to embrace the sunny South Florida climate.
“Forté on Flagler embodies the essence of modern luxury, blending sophisticated design with unrivaled waterfront
views,” said Taylor Collins, Managing Partner at Two Roads Development. “With its limited number of residences and carefully crafted details, it offers an exclusive living experience that redefines elegance in West Palm Beach.”
The Crown Jewel: Forté’s Penthouse
Spanning 18,029 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space, Forté’s two-story penthouse sets a new standard of luxury with breathtaking 360-degree views, made possible by its soaring ceilings and a 7,189-square-foot private rooftop terrace.
Customizable interiors allow for four to eight bedrooms and are complemented by an expansive outdoor terrace complete with a pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen. A glass-enclosed private elevator connects the two floors, enhancing exclusivity and convenience. Inside, the design highlights a sculptural staircase and high-end finishes, including custom cabinetry, marble accents, and top-of-the-line appliances.
The residence also boasts expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor spaces, maximizing views of the surrounding vistas. With a $45 million price tag, the penthouse prioritizes both luxury and livability, making it ideal for entertaining or simply unwinding in privacy.
Forté offers more than just exquisite residences; it also provides an array of amenities designed to cater to every whim.
Residents will have access to a concierge service, ensuring that all their needs are met with elegance and efficiency. The building includes 24-hour security and valet, house cars, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a resort-style swimming pool, private cabanas, a yoga studio and a private dining room for events, among others.
Adding to Forté’s distinctive appeal, the development will also feature the West Palm Beach Art Walk, a curated public art installation showcasing three stunning sculptures, enhancing the dynamic lifestyle offered to residents.
As West Palm Beach continues to attract those seeking both coastal luxury and vibrant urban living, Forté’s early 2025 move-in date signals an exciting development for future residents. The project’s latest interiors have been imagined by Palm Beach designer Gil Walsh, who blends classic design principles with risk-taking execution, for those who wish to envision life at Forté.
With many residences already spoken for, only a few opportunities remain to secure a home in this coveted location. Forté’s contemporary design, sweeping waterfront views, and emphasis on privacy make it a standout choice for those looking to establish roots in West Palm Beach, offering an exclusive lifestyle in the city’s most desirable new address. u
LE VEAU d’Or, the venerable bistro at 129 East 60th Street, has triumphantly reopened after a five year hiatus and is doing a land office business under new management. First begun in 1937 by Georges Baratin and Henry Guile, today Le Veau d’Or is owned by Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, who earned their toques under Daniel Boulud, worked for Keith McNally at Balthazar and then started two successful French restaurants of their own, Frenchette and Le Rock.
The restaurant was awarded its fourth star by Craig Claiborne in 1968, and was lovingly stewarded in good and not so good times for decades after being bought by Robert
Treboux in 1985. When an unhappy customer pointed to empty tables to reinforce her complaint, Treboux archly responded, “Madame, anyone can run a busy restaurant, but it takes a genius to run an empty one.” Treboux came to New York to work with Henri Soulé of Le Pavillon and was the last link to the long line of haute cuisine French restaurants that sadly ended in September with the closing of La Grenouille. The restaurant was Treboux’s life. He lived upstairs and never left it. “Where else would I go? What else would I do?”
Recently I sat with longtime Le Veau d’Or customer and
Quest ’s publisher Chris Meigher at Orson Welles’ table near the front door and reviewed the restaurant’s house account books, a main stay of restaurants before cred it card use became widespread. Records for Jacqueline Onassis, Ronald and Leonard Lauder, Liz Smith, Bill Blass, Sam Peabody, who came for lunch every Saturday, were all accounted for. Grace Kelly came in even after she became the Princess of Monaco. Bobby Short, Time Inc. publisher Chuck Whittingham, Stuart “Boy” Sheftel and his actress wife Geraldine Fitzgerald, 1970s “It Girl”and model Missy Prowell, Gay Talese, and the dashing Venetian aristocrat Count Giorio Emo-Capadalista all patronized the 55-seat restaurant with its red and white checkered table cloths, as did the late, lamented Quest scrivener Michael Thomas, who wrote a series of columns entitled “At Le Veau.”
Today Le Veau d’Or reinforces the tradition of haute cui sine French cooking, meticulously prepared and served. It has found a whole new generation of aficionados, and reservations are hard to come by, even weeks in advance. Robert Treboux’s grandson Derek is the charming maître d’ and happily serves as the linchpin between this great New York institution’s storied past and prosperous, excit ing future. ◆
Blending playfulness with a passion for exquisite gemstones and masterful craftsmanship, TAMARA COMOLLI offers the perfect keepsake for your loved ones.
love or a once-in-a-lifetime statement, few things in life can create memorable moments like a thoughtfully selected jewelry gift. With a unique approach to gemstone jewelry that puts individuality first, TAMARA COMOLLI offers a vast array of fascinating designs.
For over 30 years, TAMARA COMOLLI has shaped the world of fine jewelry with a design philosophy that celebrates nature’s beauty through water-inspired shapes and the incomparable glow magic of colorful gemstones. In doing so, the brand has given birth to timeless, iconic creations that continue to sparkle delight across its collections. Take CURRICULUM VITAE, with its eyecatching statement rings; SNOWFLAKES, with its adorable precious pendants; and ALWAYS DIAMONDS, with its showstopping necklaces that epitomize the brand’s distinctive style of Casual Luxury.
With MIKADO, arguably TAMARA COMOLLI’s most recognizable collection, the sky is the limit when it comes to gifting. Always featuring the collection’s iconic acornshaped colorful gemstone pendantss, the designs span a wide array of styles, from the charming, petite myMIKADO bracelets on a fabric cord, to the foundational design of the brand—the Flamenco bracelet. This incomparable piece comes in countless variations of the brand’s characteristic Color Stories, culminating in mesmerizsing, one-ofa-kind treasures, like the version made with ultra-rare Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds. This kind of absolutely unique piece, known as a COLLECTIBLE in the brand’s portfolio, is joined by stunning rings and bracelets that showcase TAMARA COMOLLI’s unparalleled expertise with gemstones.
Other exceptional gifting options include the brand’s assort ment of Modern Diamonds designs, which offer a contemporary take on the world’s most famous gemstone, or the elegantly cool theme Icy Blue, perfect for ringing in the New Year. For those seeking a Winter Escape, the ´Lagoon´ and ´Candy´ Color Sto ries evoke the warmth of a beach getaway with a vibrant splash of colors, whether that vacation is in your imagination or in reality. No matter if you opt for something subtle or sensa tional, TAMARA COMOLLI offers countless ways to bring that special sparkle to your loved one’s face!
THIS YEAR MARKS Barbie’s 65th anniversary, and The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is honoring this milestone with an exhibition showcasing her profound impact on fashion and culture. The show, titled Barbie: A Cultural Icon, takes a look back at over 250 vintage dolls, stunning life-size fashion designs, and an array of memorabilia that highlights Barbie’s role as both a toy and a trendsetter.
Barbie creator and Mattle co-founder Ruth Handler wanted to create a three-dimensional adult woman doll for her daughter, Barbara. The first Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York City on March 9, 1959. Dressed in a black-and-white striped swimsuit, Barbie made her debut as a teenage fashion model, her full name was Barbara Millicent Roberts.
Barbie quickly became a symbol of possibility and MAD celebrates her journey through the ages and how it influenced cultural identity. From her inception to her current form, Barbie remains a canvas for creativity and imagination, inspiring generations to dream big and embrace diversity.
Barbie’s journey from a simple childhood toy to a global icon is
on full display. The exhibition explores this evolution and illustrates how the doll has inspired creativity and self-expression. Visitors can follow Barbie’s captivating origin story through a stunning collection of her original 22 ensemble outfits. Starting at the Space Age, where technology and fashion met one another. Also on view is the landmark introduction of Christie, Barbie’s first Black friend, in the 1960s. Christie’s debut was a groundbreaking moment, paving the way for greater representation within the Barbie universe. Continuing on into the vibrant fashions of the 1970s, from flowy ensembles to disco wear, in the spirit of the decade’s liberation and self-expression. As the timeline advances into the 1980s and 1990s, a diverse array of Barbie dolls emerge, representing various ethnicities, body types, and careers. Culminating in the 2000s, where contemporary trends keep with our most recent identity and fashions. And of course, the introduction of Barbie’s male counterpart Ken and the creation of the Dream House.
Barbie: A Cultural Icon is on display at The Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle, New York) through March 16, 2024. Tickets can be purchased at madmuseum.org. u
BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER
FALL IN NEW YORK is in full swing, while Florida’s peak social season is just taking off. With both in mind, we’ve curated the best looks and accessories to suit each scene.
Inspired by Tiffany windows, Oscar de la Renta’s Art Nouveau Stain Glass Gown is a tessellation of individually-dyed acrylic paillettes. $26,990 at oscardelarenta.com.
TAMARA COMOLLI’s Pendant SIGNATURE small with Diamond Pavé in 18k yellow gold. $1,650 at tamaracomolli.com.
Indulge in the epitome of style and sophistication with Merrichase’s Ritz Diamond Pave Bracelet. $425 at merrichase.com.
This new 18kt yellow gold version of Rolex’s Day-Date 36 has a white lacquer dial with faceted, deconstructed Roman numerals and faceted index hour markers. Price upon request at rolex.com.
Barton & Gray Mariners Club offers an assortment of membership options. Members enjoy a lifetime of yachting with the ability to adjust their membership and take advantage of the ever-expanding harbors and new yachts being added to the club. The Naples excursions featuring white sandy beaches, upscale shopping, dining, and world-class golf courses can be accessed via the Naples Bay Resort marina. For more information, visit bartonandgray.com.
J.McLaughlin’s Upland Quilted Jacket in Navy ($358), Collis Classic Fit Shirt in Glen Plaid ($148), Henry Cashmere ¼ Zip in Heather Oatmeal ($328), Michael Belt in Brown Suede ($118), Redding Straight-Fit Chino Pants in Italian Moleskin ($228), and Baltis Suede Chukka Boot ($398). Visit jmclaughlin.com.
The Colony Palm Beach x Vilebrequin’s Men’s Swim Trunks in Jungle Print. $310 at the hotel’s gift shop and thecolonyedit.com.
Polo Ralph Lauren’s new timepiece, the first Polo Bear watch exclusively designed for women and called The Ricky Trench Coat Bear, features the newest iteration of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bear, who wears a trench coat over a tuxedo, with an intricate 3D-printed bear motif on the dial. $1,750 at ralphlauren.com.
Asprey’s Hanover Backgammon Set (pictured here in Burgundy) is a carefully considered combination of materials - selected to suit all levels of play. Prices start at $3,900 at asprey.com.
The new BMW Iconic Glow Kidney Grille of the 2025 X3 catches the eye, especially after dark. Sporty, spacious, and luxurious … it’s the X3 update you’ve been waiting for. See the 2025 X3 and X3 M50 at BramanBMW.com.
Greenleaf & Crosby’s Fernando Jorge Gravity Earrings. $20,700 at greenleafcrosby.com.
Coexistence Eau de Parfum created in honor of The Great Elephant Migration. $255 for a 50ml bottle at xerjoff.com.
Wempe’s Ring Spotlight High Jewelry in 18k white gold. $32,775 at wempe.com.
Araminta’s limited edition throw in Woodland Inkcap design inspired by a troop of Woodland Inkcap mushrooms gathered on the lawn of Araminta Campbell’s family home in Aberdeenshire. $1,310 at thestore.madmuseum.org.
Zimmermann’s Eden Billow Mini Dress in Madame Jade. $1,850 at zimmermann.com.
Nestled in Via Mizner off of Worth Avenue, Renato’s—a Palm Beach classic—impresses in every way, making it the perfect restaurant for any special occasion. Visit renatospalmbeach.com.
Love Brand & Co.’s ‘The Tuskers’ Cap in Washed Navy (top), ‘The Matriarchy’ Cap in Coral Pink (center), and ‘We are Family’ Cap in Sky Blue (bottom). $50 each at lovebrand.com.
Above: Claire Florence Jewelry’s Solid 18k Gold Stacking Ring with Emerald Green (left) and Blue Sapphire (right), $12,000 each. Below: 18k Gold Stretch Bracelets in various colors, $3,500 each. Visit claireflorence.com.
Vibrant floral linen throw pillow custom made in 20” square with matching 1.5” flounce. Limited edition Linda Horn exclusive. Smaller 16” size also available. $495 at LindaHorn.com
The Society of the Four Arts has released its muchanticipated schedule of programs for the 2024-25 season, kicking off with the opening of the with Past Forward: Native American Art from Gilcrease Museum exhibition on November 23rd. For the full schedule, visit fourarts.org.
Charlotte Kellogg’s Chantilly Dress in Cotton. $250 at charlottekellogg.com.
Prepare to be mesmerized by the sheer elegance of these 18ct yellow gold Diamond and Pearl Earrings by Elizabeth Gage. $21,600 at elizabeth-gage.com.
The Kemble Shop’s Sunset Garden Palm Beach Tunic. $175 at thekembleshop.com.
Take advantage of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas’ Fall Savings package! Fall is a truly charming time at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. The most spectacular sunsets of the year can be enjoyed at Minitas Beach Club, the afternoons are cooler, the colors more intense. Starting room rates from $255, or $749 per villas, per night. Valid for travel through December 19th. Visit casadecampo.com.do.
Sotheby’s International Realty / 561.301.2211 or 646.457.8919 / cristina.condon@sothebys.realty or kevin.condon@sothebys.realty
Q: What are the most important factors your Palm Beach buyers are currently looking for?
A: The interest seems to be in high-quality, turnkey homes with immediate gratification. With limited inventory available, buyers have been quick to act when one of these properties comes to the market.
Q: What types of properties are generating the most interest these days?
A: The buying pool for ocean and lake front properties is at its peak. The lack of inventory available continues to drive values up for prime real estate in each area of the town. On the opposite side, we’re seeing land properties accumulate days on the market as buyers today do not want the time and potential headache it takes to get plans approved.
Q: What advice are you giving to your clients who are thinking about selling?
A: We are currently seeing the market shift from the pandemic days - sellers can’t price their homes according to what numbers received in 2021 and 2022. They need
accordingly to today’s market.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: The completion of the new playhouse at The Royal Poinciana Plaza called The Innovate. This will bring back a performing arts center and experience to Palm Beach which has been void for decades. Once renovations are complete, a new Mediterranean restaurant called Tutto Mare will occupy the adjourning space, and will offer indoor/outdoor ambiance on the water.
143 E Inlet Drive in Palm Beach, listed for rent for $165,000 for the winter season. Opposite page: Cristina and Kevin Condon.
Brown Harris Stevens / 561.373.0666 or 561.310.7919 / lpulitzer@bhsusa.com or wmcgurk@bhsusa.com
Q: How would you describe the overall climate of the Palm Beach real estate market right now?
A: The market is historically slower in September and October. As we write this, the election right around the corner we are seeing less activity than usual due to uncertainty. We do anticipate that once the election is over, and we are back into season, the market will be stronger.
Q: What types of properties are generating most interest these days—and where are they located?
A: We continue to find the properties that are new and movein ready are generating the most interest. The north end of the Island continues to see a lot of interest as well as the SoSo neighborhood in West Palm Beach. Younger families are focused on each area depending on budgets. The north end offers a relaxed lifestyle with beach and bike trail access. SoSo is situated off Flagler drive, which families use daily for walks and bike rides along the Intracoastal.
Q: How do schools in the Palm Beach area factor into buyer decisions when choosing a neighborhood?
A: Most of the schools are relatively close to each other so
younger families are not focusing on neighborhoods for schooling. We find that most residents are interested in specific neighborhoods and specific schools but one choice does not typically influence the other.
Q: What’s new this season in terms of dining and entertainment?
A: We are anticipating the opening of the Palm House on Royal Palm Way. That hotel has been closed for over 15 years and we are looking forward to the hotel opening, which will come with new dining options for the town.
Q: Tell us about a notable listing.
A: 219 Churchill Road is an exquisite 1930 Mediterranean home in ‘’SoSo’’ that has been totally renovated and beautifully reimagined. The house is situated on a rare 13,000 squarefoot parcel with exceptional mature landscaping, a swimming pool, and fenced in garden, and includes separate guest accommodations above a detached 2 car garage.
From above: 219 Churchill Road in West Palm Beach, listed for $5,950,000; Liza Pulitzer and Whitney McGurk.
Sotheby’s International Realty / 847.651.7210 / john.cregan@sothebys.realty
Q: What types of properties are generating most interest?
A: Location seems to matter less than condition and price point. We’ve recently seen demand for two very different types of properties- the nose-bleed high-end Palm Beach waterfront trophy home (we’re talking prices over $50m) and move-inready, entry price homes in both Palm Beach’s North End and the popular West Palm neighborhoods like El Cid and SoSo.
Q: How do schools affect location choice when buying?
A: With so many younger families here year-round now, schools definitely matter more than they used to. Happily, the private school options have expanded with many schools like Palm Beach Day Academy adding class space, or in the case of the Greene School, actually adding a whole high school. South Olive Elementary gets good marks in West Palm Beach and has contributed to the demand in the SoSo neighborhood. And eligibility for the on-island Palm Beach Public School absolutely adds to the attractiveness of West Palm neighborhoods.
Q: What’s new this season?
A: A lot! Our dining options keep growing with even the great Thomas Keller planting his flag here by taking over the long-
Palm Beach classic Taboo. And the ongoing growth of West Palm Beach means more options on the other side of the bridge. The Blue Door is such a favorite, we’ll probably take grief from friends for mentioning it. And James Beard nominated Oceano Kitchen has done a major renovation and expansion of their new space in Lake Worth. They may even take reservations! For entertainment, look to the upcoming season’s programming at The Kravis Center and The Four Arts.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
A: We get a lot of questions from buyers new to Palm Beach about our condo buildings condition and readiness. In West Palm, we’d note we have quite a few new-built, high-quality buildings like The Bristol and La Clara, with more coming. On island the buildings were almost all developed in the 1970’s or early 1980’s, but over the past 4-5 years those older buildings have taken on extensive renovation projects that have addressed not only their hurricane readiness but, in many cases, given a fresh modern look to their lobbies and hallways as well.
From above: 333 Pilgrim Road in West Palm Beach, listed for $2,900,000; John Cregan.
CEO of Brokerage, Florida Region and President of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing
305.733.8387 / jay.parker@elliman.com
Q: Tell us about the Miami real estate market.
A: The Miami market continues to experience strong demand with activity increasing as we come out of the seasonably slower summer period. Furthermore, as interest rates drop and as we move past the election season, I anticipate the Florida real estate market to surge!
Q: What types of properties are generating most interest?
A: Florida has become a mecca for wealth, with high-end properties driving much of the market activity. Ultra-luxury homes, particularly those located in prime areas like Miami, Palm Beach, and Naples continue to set new sales records. Douglas Elliman agent, Brett Harris, for example, recently closed on a $122M parcel on La Gorce Island, breaking sales records in that area. As the market continues its transformation, I anticipate the draw to become more and more powerful, attracting even more interest from both domestic and international buyers.
Q: How do schools in the Miami area factor into buyer decisions when choosing a neighborhood?
A: While we hear about schools in the discussions, it seems that
the families relocating have been successful in placing their children in the ever-expanding private school sector. Furthermore, there are many areas that have remarkable public schools to augment the inbound migration demand.
Q: What’s new this season?
A: Mother Wolf just opened in the Design District. AOKO Sushi in Miami, Sparro on Wynwood. The Standard Residences Midtown, where Douglas Elliman Development Marketing (DEDM) is handling the sales and marketing, also just announced they are bringing a Sushi Garage to the ground floor.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
A: Continuing its remarkable evolution, the Florida market continues to raise the bar in all aspects of culture, hospitality, lifestyle, real estate and all other tenacles that touch our thriving markets. I remain committed to sharing in the exciting evolution of the markets Douglas Elliman is fortunate enough to participate in.
Corcoran / 561.379.7718 / dana.koch@corcoran.com
Q: How would you describe the overall climate of the Palm Beach real estate market right now?
A: Overall, the market was fairly quiet during the summer, but we are seeing signs of life. The ultra high end and the low end of the markets have been supporting the rest of the Palm Beach real estate market. I feel that with the 50 basis point rate cut and another anticipated cut before year end, we may be gaining some momentum. The presidential election has kept many buyers on the sideline since no one likes uncertainty! I am cautiously optimistic that we will have a good season.
Q: What types of properties are generating most interest these days—and where are they located?
A: Our ultra high-end waterfront properties generate the most interest, especially direct oceanfront. There is a scarcity of product that helps drive this market. When a one-of-a-kind waterfront home comes onto the market, it normally sells for top dollar. In addition, new construction always generates a great deal of interest. Buyers normally don’t have the bandwidth to take on a project that takes years from start to finish and are willing to pay a premium so that they do not have to go through the process.
Q: How do schools in the Palm Beach area factor into buyer decisions when choosing a neighborhood?
A: The schools play a large role for new families that are moving to the area. We have plenty of top notch schools, but the issue is that we don’t have enough of them. Many buyers want to live in close proximity to where their children go to school so often times, buyers will wait to see what schools their children get into before making a commitment to an area/neighborhood.
Q: What’s new this season in terms of dining and entertainment?
A: We are all looking forward to some of the new eateries opening up in the area. Obvious highlights include Nobu, which is opening at the Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa, and Estiatorio Milos is opening at the new One Flagler office building that Related built right over the Royal Park Bridge. In addition, we are anticipating the reopening of two boutique hotels: The Vineta Hotel (formerly The Chesterfield and the first hotel in the US for the Oetker Collection), and the Palm House, which had been shuttered for years. ◆
From above: 130 Algoma Road in Palm Beach, listed for $17,500,000;
On November 1st, The Society of the Four Arts will host its King Fling 2024 event in Palm Beach. For more information, visit fourarts.org.
The Society of the Four Arts will host its kick-off celebration at the King Library at Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden in Palm Beach. King Fling 2024 will feature music, wine tastings, and food stations, with tours of the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden. As a King Fling guest, you will have access to shop the King Library book sale in the Pannill Pavilion and participate in the Mystery Wine Selection. Enjoy a fun, festive evening where all proceeds benefit the King Library Collection. For more information, visit fourarts.org.
MSK’S FALL PARTY
The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) will hold its Associates Fall Party at The Plaza Hotel in New York. The dinner dance’s in-room initiative will support the Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Service. MSK pioneered bone marrow transplantation in children and adults and led the nation in
novel approaches to allow for mismatched and unrelated donors for patients lacking a matched
sibling. This initiative will support training the next generation of leaders in transplant and cellular
On November 28th, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will return to New York City. For more information, visit macys.com.
therapy. For more information, visit mskcc.org.
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s will host its 14th Annual Fall Symposium & Luncheon at The Pierre in New York. The event will honor The Goodnow Fund with the Charles Evans Award in recognition of Ned Goodnow and his family’s significant support of Alzheimer’s research through critical funding which has aided in the discovery of new therapies and diagnostic tools. Biogen will also be honored with the Visionary Partner Award for its dedication to furthering Alzheimer’s research and treatment, with an emphasis on biomarkers and early-stage disease. For more information, visit alzdiscovery.org.
The Directors of the American Friends of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra are delighted to share the news of their return to the
States with a Benefit Concert and Dinner at the Union Club in New York. The evening will raise funds for the development of the Oxford Philharmonic Academy Program and will honor Alex Gorsky for his international philanthropic support of the Arts. Maestro Marios Papadopoulos will be joined by the Orchestra’s Concertmaster Carmine Lauri and Solo Cello Mats Lidström for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s epic Piano Trio. For more information, contact camillaghellman@gmail.com.
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GOLD COAST
According to renowned 20th century lifestyle photographer George ‘Slim’ Aarons (1916-2006), his photos captured “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.’” The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach, in partnership with Getty Images and presented by Lilly Pulitzer, will showcase an exhibition of these famously “attractive” shots. Slim Aarons: Gold Coast will be on display from November 15, 2024 through January 26, 2025. For more information, visit ansg.org.
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The Fifth Avenue Snowflake for Humanity Foundation will host its 2024 Fifth Avenue Snowflake
Ball, honoring world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud and benefiting Citymeals on Wheels at The Pierre Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in New York. For more information, visit citymeals.org.
ALLERGY AWARENESS
Red Sneakers for Oakley will
hold its 7th Annual Food Allergy Awareness Benefit at Club Colette in Palm Beach. Oakley was the beloved son of Robert and Merrill Debbs, whose life was tragically cut short by a food allergy. This special evening is not only a tribute to Oakley but a crucial opportunity to advance the charity’s mission, which is dedicated to raising awareness and education
about food allergies, to save lives and protect families from similar tragedies. For more information, visit redsneakers.org.
THANKSGIVING PARADE
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will return to New York City with giant balloons, fabulous floats, and great entertainers. For more information, visit macys.com.
ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH
During Art Basel, which will take place through December 8th, leading galleries from five continents will show significant works by masters of Modern and contemporary art, as well as the new generation of emerging stars, at Miami Beach Convention Center at 1901 Convention Center Drive. Art Basel’s show in Miami Beach is divided into several sectors. Each sector has a specific focus, from monumental art to solo presentations by emerging artists. Find out more below. Tickets for Art Basel’s 2024 show can be purchased at artbasel.com. Only a limited amount of tickets is available for each day of the show. Private previews by invitation will be held on December 4th and 5th.
From November 15th through January
A tropical trio of fashion, design, and community creatives collaborate.
BY JAYNE CHASE
THERE ARE CERTAIN PLACES my family has spent long vacations and memorable summers that hold a special place in my heart. Each of these beautiful locales have added something unique to my life experience, yet have always made me feel at home.
This sentiment is echoed by friends about Naples, the west coast gem that has been attracting families ever since Third Street South founder Junkie Fleischmann and his wife, Dorette, landed on the pristine white sandy shores just after World War II in the 1940’s. Now, many years later, their daughter, Joan Tobin, has continued to carry her parents’ vision forward, revitalizing this nationally recognized historic neighborhood and attracting a new generation of shoppers and food enthusiasts - efforts which are also being continued by her children, Alexis and Ian.
For close friends and soon-to-be business collaborators-fashion designer Ala von Auersperg and interior designer Meg Braff-Naples and Third Street South’s charming La Bonne Vie Pop-up Shop orchestrated by Neapolitan Enterprises (Tobin’s company) and her team was the ideal setting for their first joint effort. With its rich history and refined atmosphere, the Third Street South location is a natural fit for both women, who have long crossed paths through social and philanthropic events in Palm Beach and Newport. I recently sat down with these designers to discuss this project.
Jayne Chase: Tell us about your own personal connection to Naples.
Ala von Auersperg: Naples holds such a special place in my heart. It’s just so warm and welcoming and Third Street South- with its pastel-colored colonial buildings, antique fountains, and extensive greenery-really captures the charm of the city. Whenever I walk through the area, past the boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, it seems like such a vibrant center while still having an elegant and laid-back feel. I couldn’t resist returning this year again!
Meg Braff: Although I didn’t grow up coming to Naples with my parents and family, I have enjoyed visiting a lot over the past 20 years. I have so many friends in the area and they love it. When Ala, who I have known from our summers together in Newport, asked me to design her pop-up at La Bonne Vie, I was thrilled.
Jayne Chase: How do you know each other?
Ala von Auersperg: Meg and I have known each other for years. We have become closer recently while working on the Newport Preservation Society’s summer gala and overlapping during the Palm Beach season. Collaborating with Meg is so much fun because we have different yet complimentary talents and share a similar vision. Plus, working together is
such a joy which is something I never take for granted.
Jayne Chase: Ala, tell us why you wanted Meg Braff to design your space at La Bonne Vie and Meg, tell us what you love about Ala’s collection.
Ala von Auersperg: I love Meg’s design sense and her ability to create spaces that are beautiful, effortless, and inviting. She
knows how to blend beauty and comfort, making people still feel at ease in a gorgeous setting without making it too formal or overwhelming. This balance captures the atmosphere I wanted to achieve in the pop-up while also reflecting the true nature of the Naples community.
Meg Braff: I love Ala’s collection. Her pieces are the perfect resort and vacation party uniform, whether you’re in Naples, Palm Beach, or Newport. I love that you can mix and match pieces in the same pattern to achieve different looks and I find Ala’s artwork so beautifully organic. Her clothes also pack well and for me, that is key.
Jayne Chase: How do the Naples customers align with your brands? Do you both have clients there?
Ala von Auersperg: Yes, many of our customers are Naples residents and it’s wonderful to see how our collection resonates with them. The women have a distinct sense of style and value elegance and refinement. Naples is a place where fashion is embraced at all levels, from casual lunches to special events. I’m excited to continue to build relationships with the community because it combines sophistication with a vibrant social scene, making it a perfect match for the spirit of our brand. La Bonne Vie, the shop owned and operated by Tobin and her team on Third Street South, is situated right in the heart of the most beautiful part of Naples. There’s a real sense of vibrancy and energy there, making it such a fun and dynamic place to be. It
feels like the perfect location for our pop-up.
Jayne Chase: Are either of you creating specific items for the Naples pop-up?
Ala von Auersperg: I’m very fortunate to have had a wonderfully talented artist as a mother-in-law who sadly passed away a few months ago. Her artwork, which ranged from paintings to printmaking, are a part of the permanent collections at The Museum of Modern Art and The Smithsonian Institute. As a tribute to her, I’m creating a very limited number of kaftans that feature some of her artwork. It’s a deeply personal project and I’m excited to bring it to Naples. It feels like a special way to honor her legacy while sharing something meaningful with our Naples customers.
Meg Braff: I am so excited to be designing this pop-up. We are going to keep it casual and chic and maybe a little less Palm Beach pink, but use a little more blue, reflecting the gorgeous Naples sea and open sky. We will be decorating with our Meg Braff Designs fabric which I am excited to use, but we are still in the planning stages so you will have wait and come visit this February! ◆
BY JAYNE CHASE
tion. Originally, families were drawn to Naples for its attrac tive laidback life-style, excellent boating and sports and miles of white sandy beaches as a peaceful escape from the cold northern winters. Today, many decades later, Naples continues attracting families eager to experience the iconic Florida coast, though it has now evolved into a vibrant international city that welcomes people from across the globe.
When Joan Fleischmann Tobin took over her parents’ leg acy nearly 30 years ago, she focused on preserving their vi sion while ensuring that Third Street South kept pace with the increasingly sophisticated visitors. Working alongside her close friend, renowned interior designer Mark Hampton, they transformed the look of Third Street South, updating and co
ordinating the color of the buildings, the shape of the awnings, the wrought iron railings and just about everything related to its design. “Mark was one of the most talented designers to ever live,” Tobin shared fondly about her late friend. “He had impeccable taste and understood what both residents and visitors loved about the town. We walked the whole street together and in changing as much as we did, created a coherent look. Since then, we have tried to maintain that plan and the beauty and welcome of Third Street South and the interest it generates through our blend of retail high-end shops and restaurants. As we look ahead with the return of our high-end collaborative pop-up shop, La Bonne Vie, we will bring top rotating couture and decorating brands, together with an art exhibition. Ala von Auersperg resort wear, Shiela Isham’s paintings, Meg Braff Interiors, Newport Lamp and Shade, and Balmain amongst many others, all of which blends with established stores and adds fresh and interesting brands, keep ing Third Street South the best of the past with its eye to the future - all without losing the beauty, grace and service of former days.”
“Naples is now an international, sophisticated, vibrant city,” she continued to explain. “Our businesses and residents are from every corner of the globe. They are multi-cultural and much more interest ing. We’ve gone from a place where you basically came to walk the beach to a whole different universe. Now, it’s a wonderful place to live full time as well as to visit.”
Joan’s children, Alexis and Ian, are ready to carry on the family leg acy. “Naples is much less seasonal than it used to be,” Alexis added. “Our restaurants are full almost every night, even in the off season and
My mother’s friends’ children, who are now in their 40s and 50s, appreciate the quality of life in Naples and places like Third Street South provide the sort of experience and resources they are accustomed to enjoying. My brother Ian and I are excited to work together and build on our mother’s vision. Following her lead, we are taking Third Street South to the next stage, adding to the already eclectic high-end atmosphere our mother and her excellent team have created. I think we’ll be able to deliver that.”
BY CHRIS MEIGHER
A WAVE OF grassroots philanthropy is quickly capturing hearts and imaginations along America’s Eastern Seaboard, as a parade of pachyderms has stomped the coastal bluffs of Newport, RI ... navigated the back alleys of Manhattan's Meatpacking District …and are now forging a path towards the swellegant scene at Miami's Art Basel festival- playfully interacting with fascinated advocates at every port of call!. Doesn't each of us fondly remember when the circus came to our home town? In my case, it’s the childhood memory of lumbering elephants strolling up 8th Avenue - their hulking trunks holding tight to the skinny tails wagging in front of them - filing in a single line up to the old Madison Square Garden. Decades later I remain mesmerized by these gentle giants, the largest of all land mammals. But now I'm enthralled by the inspired mission of this Great Elephant Migration ("GEM"), and especially the Coexistence Collective
Counterclockwise from above: The Great Elephant Migration team; members of the elephant herd at Gansevoort Plaza in New York City's Meatpacking District; a map of the elephants' journey and locations throughout New York City.
- a community of aboriginal Indian craftsmen in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu who create these massive beasts by weaving woody stalks of (invasive!) lantana weed around a seriously strong steel structure. Says the comely cofounder of the Coexistence Collective, Ruth Ganesh: "Right now we are overlapping with wildlife more than ever before, as our human footprint expands. And as everyone wants most animals to survive and regain nature's balance, the answer is coexistence. India's elephants are the poster child of this movement, as they come from a place where the overlap is at its most extreme". Ganesh goes on to point out: "As a breed, the majestic elephants speak louder and more profoundly for the concept of coexisting, and their natural migration from East to West is inspiring the human race to better share the space we occupy".
Stalwartly supporting the Great Elephant Migration is a dedicated team that services and facilitates the touring herd, and indeed this unassailable engine of conservation. The visceral response to these lifelike installations is evidence
that a more practical approach to wildlife coexistence is taking hold and breeding enthusiastic and generous backers. Moreover, the concept of GEM goes well beyond traditional fundraising; indeed, one wise devotee has called the elephant bond "near-spiritual, as we can no longer think about nature as separated from ourselves". And, yes, the sculptures can be purchased; in fact, a Matriarchy of influential women has emerged to bring attention to this migration, including the oceanic Sylvia Earle, the fabled conservationist Edith McBean, the Elephant Family's cofounder Fiona Humphrey and even Camilla, Queen of England, whose late brother Mark Shand was an early champion and friend of the movement. As a result of this groundswell , there are statuette pachyderms now popping up in the most fashionable country homes, shooting estates
and smart gardens throughout Britain and the USA.
As proclaimed on this issue's cover, the Great Elephant Migration is next on its way to the coral sands of South Florida where I suspect these noble creatures will quietly soothe the commercial cacophony of Art Basel itself. As the radiant Ruth Ganesh so aptly puts it: "With the herd ... we're trying to recreate that feeling of wonderment and connection. It's an epic adventure, and everyone's invited". Quest has already hopped onboard! ◆
The elephant herd of 100 strong happily makes its way from Newport to New York City this past summer. Opposite page, from above: Ruth Ganesh and renowned Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee; behind the scenes with artisans for the Coexistence Collective at work in India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
BY PAUL ROUSSEAS
DURING A WALK in NYC’s Meatpacking District, I was stunned to see a herd of 100 elephants taking over the median on Ninth Avenue and surrounding areas. These were elephant sculptures constructed of lantana, an invasive weed, but something about the placement, the inherent movement and countenance of this life-sized herd commanded awe and attention. Crowds were gathering near them, groups of people were animatedly chatting, walking around the statuary, visibly moved, as if instantly remembering some primordial instinct they all felt they had lost to screens and disconnection from nature and earthly wonders.
Upon closer inspection, I found out that this Great Elephant Migration (GEM) had originated in Newport, RI and after New York, it would travel to Miami, Texas and Wyoming before its final stop in Los Angeles. The life-size and anatomically accurate elephant sculptures are based on real wild counterparts, perfectly characterized and created by a community of 200 indigenous artisans from India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, living peacefully alongside the real elephant herd. The public art exhibition will migrate across the country raising awareness with funds going toward animal welfare and wildlife coexistence. Organized by Elephant Family, GEM aims to raise funds whilst inspiring human populations to share space with these magnificent animals. Like the charity, a special lifestyle brand—also originally from the UK—shares the same mission of helping wild elephants. Enter LOVE BRAND & Co.
Since inception, the British luxury resort-wear marque LOVE BRAND & Co. has been supporting the Elephant Family charity and highlighting this long-standing commitment as the official retail partner of GEM. What this means is that 50% of proceeds from LOVE BRAND & Co.’s exclusive capsule collection will be donated directly to Elephant Family USA to aid their conservation initiatives. The offering features mesmerizingly beautiful prints of Elephants and Indian wildlife, block-printed in India on organic cotton and linen and designed in-house by Oliver Tomalin, LOVE BRAND & Co.’s founder.
Upon meeting Oliver and his wife Rose they told me that they felt tremendous joy and a sense of deep hon our to be part of GEM and this landmark campaign. “From day one, LOVE BRAND & Co. has been on a mission to help elephants and other endangered spe cies, redefining beachwear with a greater purpose.”
[Having worked with Elephant Family in London for over a decade,] “We are thrilled to now support Ele phant Family USA and The Great Elephant Migra tion and this extraordinary initiative that celebrates art, community and the natural world. It's bonkers, beautiful and completely brilliant,” says Oliver.
In today’s hyper-monetized reality of gre enwashing and quasi-ecologically-conscious brands, it is rare and immensely hopeful to come across people like Oliver and Rose, who have built a brand born out of a real and pro active passion to help and give back. LOVE BRAND & Co. is a proud member of 1% for the Planet and a certified B-Corp and stead fast in their environmentally conscious methods when making their easy-breezy range of natural linens, organ ic cotton and recycled swimwear for the whole family. Quickly becoming the go-to for discerning travellers globally, with stores in London and The Bahamas and stockists all over the world, it is reassuring and refreshing to know the brand founders still remain so grounded in their mission and love of elephants. Discover their pop-ups found at every stop of The Great Elephant Migration, as this remarkable exhibition continues its 3,500-mile migration around the USA. ◆
Clockwise from top left: Block printing prints for LOVE BRAND & Co.; looks from the brand’s latest campaign; blue and pink canvas
‘Tilloo’ totes featuring ‘Elephants of India’ ($100) and quilted
‘India’ clutch bags ($60) with 50% of proceeds supporting The Great Elephant Migration, available at lovebrand.com; fabrics are block printed in India on organic cotton and linen. Opposite page, from above: Oliver Tomalin in India; Oliver and Rose Tomalin wash Tara the elephant; block printing fabrics.
9700 Collins Avenue (Bal Harbour Shops) 100capri.com
One of the world’s most exclusive boutiques and the first U.S. based location, 100% Capri Bal Harbour offers luxury clothing and a homeware range that evokes the essence of la dolce vita. The collections are inspired by the stunning southern Italian island of Capri, where sun-drenched days are spent in covetable white linen. The label offers handmade, ultra-light, linen wear for men, women and children predominantly in white, khaki, and cocoa colors.
3409 Main Highway (Coconut Grove) booksandbooks.com
Books & Books was founded in Coral Gables by Mitchell Kaplan in 1982. It has become one of the best known and most respected independent bookstores in the country, a local landmark and a gathering place. Guests range from first-time authors, introducing their books, to critically acclaimed writers. Books & Books hosts reading groups, poetry groups, free workshops and lectures, and partners with many cultural, educational and charitable organizations. The iconic building at 3409 Main Highway, owned by architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia and located next to Panther Coffee, is now home to the Coconut Grove location. The shop occupies two floors and features a stunning collection of novels, memoirs, Floridiana, and more.
9700 Collins Avenue (Bal Harbour Shops) versace.com
Gianni Versace founded his namesake brand in Milan in 1978. A former Miami resident, Versace became a fashion icon of South Beach during the 1990s until his death in 1997. His sister Donatella took over as Creative Director immediately after. A symbol of Italian luxury, Versace is known for extraordinary craftsmanship, brilliant color, and bold prints. The brand offers ready-to-wear, accessories, jewelry, watches, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings all bearing the distinctive Medusa logo. Expect colorfully sexy baroque prints, animal motifs, and ultra-tight fits.
GUCCI
139 NE 41st Street (Design District) gucci.com
Gucci was founded by Guccio Gucci in Italy in 1921. Now, it’s one of the world’s most recognizable brands known for handbags and leather goods as well as apparel, always incorporating its modern approach to fashion. Under the vision of Creative Director Sabato de Sarno, Gucci has redefined luxury for the 21st century, further reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most desirable fashion houses. Eclectic, contemporary, and romantic, Gucci products represent the pinnacle of Italian craftsmanship and are unsurpassed for their quality and attention to detail.
RALPH LAUREN
9700 Collins Avenue (Bal Harbour Shops) ralphlauren.com
Capturing the American spirit for over 50 years, Ralph Lauren reimagines equestrian influences for today, mixing tonal shades with rich textures, including soft-brush suede, perfectly patinated leather, fine cashmere, and lightweight cavalry twill. Best known for the colorful collared Polo shirts and knit sweaters that have become part of the classic American wardrobe, the brand offers numerous fashion lines, ranging from formal to more casual and athletic apparel. Ralph Lauren is also known for its range of footwear, accessories, home offerings (including these Allen Hurricanes in Polished Nickel), and fragrances.
9700 Collins Avenue (Bal Harbour Shops) vilebrequin.com
Somewhere on the road from Nîmes to St. Tropez, Fred Prysquel and his wife Yvette met, fell in love, and opened their very first store. The year was 1971. Yvette had spent most of the ’60s chasing down the latest fashions for her yéyé-mad friends. Fueled by his love for motor racing, Fred had been busy seeing the world as a Formula 1 reporter. Today, Vilebrequin is the premier French luxury resort wear brand, promising elegance on vacation. Vilebrequin has mastered the art of tailoring swimwear, using expert craftsmanship and iconic bold designs.
155 NE 41st Street (Design District) chanel.com
Founded by Gabrielle Chanel in 1910, Chanel has evolved into a company dedicated to luxury, beauty, and fashion, inspired by Mademoiselle’s audacious vision and daring spirit. Visit the Chanel Fragrance & Beauty boutique to explore the latest fragrance, makeup, and skincare. Currently on display is its Holiday 2024 makeup line, for which Cometes Collective member Valentina Li has imagined a collection that transports you into a festive fable. With hues inspired by the celestial wintry colors of moonlit icicles and the northern lights, each of the limited edition creations and shades reflects the magic of the season.
3444 Main Hwy #4 aguabendita.com
In 2003, best friends Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza merged their passions for fashion and design. They started working day and night to bring to life a dream they had, creating Agua Bendita, the company’s first brand. It started by making bathing suits for their friends and family using Catalina’s grandmother’s sewing machine and discarded fabrics they obtained during a visit to a local clothing factory. Here, In 2007, they became one of the first Colombian companies to export local fashion. Today, the brand is present in over 50 countries worldwide. Stop in the boutique for luxury swimwear by Colombian Artisans.
3902 NE 1st Ave (Design District) louisvuitton.com
Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style. Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine “Art of Travel” through luggage, bags, and accessories, which were as creative as they were elegant and practical. Louis Vuitton expanded over the years, now offering ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewelery, and fragrance. As the first freestanding men’s store in United States, this Design District boutique offers the complete line of the Maison’s métiers for men.
J.MCLAUGHLIN
1209 3rd Street South jmclaughlin.com
J.McLaughlin embodies classic American sportswear with well-cut clothes in flattering styles that enhance the moment and last a good long time. Blending time-honored design with a contemporary twist, using excellent fabrics in rich colors is the hallmark of J.McLaughlin men’s and women’s collections. The Naples location makes up part of the vibrant downtown scene with looks that complement the unforgettable natural treasures of the Florida Everglades. Located on Third Street South, the store is just one block away from the famous Naples Pier where you can enjoy sugar sand beaches and postcard-perfect sunsets.
1250 3rd Street South gattles.com
A family-owned business for over 100 years and on Third Street South for over 50 years, Gattle’s offers your home the elegance and function of only the highest quality fine-linens, accessories, and gifts from around the world. Brands include D. Porthault, Pratesi, Dea, Yves Delorme and Anali; Daum and Jay Strongwater; Anna Weatherly, Juliska, and Kim Seybert. Shoppers will also find a myriad of delicious bath needs, and lingerie that is romantic or cozy. Embellishment and monogramming is available in a virtually unlimited range of colors. Gattle’s is an endless range of delights.
1300 3rd Street South, Suite 103B charlottekellogg.com
Charlotte Kellogg’s namesake brand is known for crisp and effortless clothing that comes in a range of bold colors. Kellogg draws inspiration from her travels around the world while producing much of her collection in the United States. Since 1998, Charlotte Kellogg has offered basic and luxury styles in natural fabrics. Visit the Naples boutique for the brand’s iconic fabulous fitting pants, wonderful big tunics, dress shirts, jersey tops, and much more designed and made for the resort lifestyle.
1209 3rd Street South thirdstreetsouth.com
L a Bonne Vie Pop-Up Shop is a high-end collaborative showcase for top couture luxury brands as well as established and renowned artists. With weekly rotating designers-including Ala von Auersperg coming in February-there is always something exciting to discover. Located in the space next to Janes Garden Café and A Mano in the Camargo Courtyard, this seasonal gem is reached from both 3rd Street South and 13th Ave South. Follow @LaBonneViePopUpShop on Instagram. Check with the concierge kiosk for up-to-the minute schedule of events. January through April 2025.
1300 3rd Street South tonysoffthird.com
Tony’s Off Third opened its doors to Old Naples in 1995, a first of its kind locally – a full-service, boutique wine shop, high-end bakery, and coffee shop. With co-owner Tony Ridgway’s passion for baking and pastry, and co-owner Sukie Honeycutt’s expertise in wine, Tony’s Off Third has been a local favorite since day one. Stop in for your morning coffee and scone in the courtyard, or an afternoon tea and pastry. Sukie’s hand-selected wine collection is suited to all price points and tastes, drawing on her peerless knowledge and connections within the wine world.
1300 3rd Street South saracampbell.com
Sara Campbell’s eponymous brand began with a sewing machine and a six-yearold girl whose creative zest was always her guiding light. Decades later, her love for design blossomed into a community with a big vision—to leave a positive footprint on this earth. Today, Campbell designs clothes with flirtatious flair in vivacious color combination, and with a classic and flattering sense of style. Made in the U.S.A., her sophisticated dresses, fun and well-cut novelty tops & bottoms, soft cashmeres, and other accessories are in a store that she makes as attractive for her customers as her clothes.
351 12th Avenue South patinacollection.com
Patina Collection is a retail store in the heart of Downtown Naples. Often described as the ‘go-to shop’, Patina Collection is a thoughtfully curated assemblage of found objects, furnishings, and accessories from all over the world. The brand believes in the juxtaposition of antiques alongside its private label and contemporary furnishings. The aesthetic focuses on subdued palettes, abundant light, and natural materials to elevate your quality of life. It is an environment in which to shop and inspire, and bring to life personalized, livable spaces.
1300 3rd Street South gretchenscottdesigns.com
“Our brand embodies a place that is chic, joyous, playful and fun,” says Gretchen Scott, founder and CEO of Gretchen Scott Designs. Our mantra is: “Laugh More, Gripe Less, Ignore Critics, Say Yes, Order Dessert, Love Life.” Gretchen Scott’s bright and well-cut clothes make both wearers and admirers happy. The cotton tops, dresses, and pants have clean lines, flattering silhouettes, timeless styles and enough playfulness that one can go from errands or office to cocktails, or from the pool to school without missing a beat. There are also purses, accessories, and interesting antiques, linens, pillows, and other finds that Gretchen includes. It’s just plain fun.
JOHN CRAIG
1258 3rd Street South johncraigclothier.com
H. Craig DeLongy opened the first John Craig on Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida on March 2, 1996 with the goal of offering the best selection of high-end men’s clothing, accessories, and footwear. The John Craig way of life is based upon exceptional, timeless clothes for sophisticated men. Individual attention underpins unparalleled customer service. The atmosphere at John Craig makes customers feel at home as they shop for a wide range of men’s clothing, accessories, and footwear. Men, says owner Craig DeLongey, find they, “come to John Craig for the clothes, but they keep coming back for the experience.” ◆
BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY
THE MUSEUM of Arts and Design (MAD) celebrated its annual MAD Ball on October 16th with a glamorous event that honored Robert Best , Vice President of Barbie Product Design at Mattel, Inc. The evening featured a seated dinner, an awards ceremony, and live music by DJ Mary Mac . Guests also enjoyed a silent auction and an exclusive preview of the museum’s latest exhibition, Barbie: A Cultural Icon , which is now open to the public.
LAST MONTH, Mubi and the Cinema Society hosted a screening of The Substance at The Whitby Hotel. The film stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-prominent A-lister grappling with the decline of her career after being fired from her fitness TV show by the studio head, Harvey (played by Dennis Quaid). Moore took part in a Q&A session before the evening concluded with an afterparty at the hotel.
TO CELEBRATE the launch of her new book, Swing By!: Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering , renowned chef and lifestyle brand founder Stephanie Nass , also known as Chefanie , hosted a party at Christie’s. Guests indulged in cocktails and an array of delectable dishes made from her signature recipes. ◆
BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY
MORE THAN JUST a New York tradition, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a cherished piece of American history—and this year marks its 100th anniversary. Since its debut in 1924, the parade has grown from a modest procession of employees and live animals into a dazzling spectacle of giant balloons, vibrant floats, and Broadway performances, captivating millions of spectators each year. For more than 25 years, photographer E.A. Kahane has captured
the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from her thirdfloor apartment window on Central Park West at 64th Street. Her new book, Come Join the Parade!, is perfectly timed for the parade’s centennial, offering a joyful compilation of her photographs. ◆
We look forward to welcoming you to Palm Beach’s pinkest hotel.
e Greenleaf & Crosby Diamond Collection
